Serum fructosamine correlates with gingival index in children with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM)

Abstract Fructosamine assay, which is used in diagnosing and monitoring diabetic patients, is compared with the hemoglobin and plasma glucose assays in children and adolescent insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus patients. We demonstrated that the gingival index scores were correlated with fructosamine values in insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus patients but not in non-diabetic controls. We also found that there was no correlation between gingivitis scores and fasting plasma glucose and HbAlc values. Periodontitis was found to be rare in diabetic children and adolescents.     

Determination of allelic deletion of multiple endocrine neoplasm type 1 (MEN1) gene in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) by application of FISH-TSA technique

We have used the single and dual color fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) technique combined with a new detection system, tyramide signal amplification (TSA), by using the multiple endocrine neoplasm type 1 (MEN1) gene and chromosome 11 specific alpha satellite DNA probes for the study of the allelic deletion of the MEN1 gene. The MEN1 gene is a new tumor suppressor gene and has been recently cloned on chromosome 11q13. FISH combined with the TSA detection system was performed on bone marrow interphase nuclei of 22 patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML). The FISH-TSA analysis revealed the mono allelic deletion of the MEN1 gene in 4 out of 22 patients (18.18%), 2 of 9 AML-M2 patients (22.2%), 1 of 6 AML-M4 patients (16.6%), and 1 of 4 AML-M5 patients (25.0%). Our study indicates that allelic deletion of the MEN1 gene is not a major cause or a primary event in tumorigenesis of AML, although the long arm (q13 region) of chromosome 11 involves a chromosomal rearrangement in AML.     

Pain during sexual activity and ejaculation following hernia repair: A retrospective comparison of transabdominal preperitoneal versus Lichtenstein repair

Pain during sexual activity and ejaculation are the unspoken long-term complications of groin hernia repair. Laparoscopic surgical techniques are associated with decreased post-operative pain and earlier return to daily activities, but its effect on these complications is unclear. This study aims to investigate the effect of transabdominal preperitoneal repair (TAPP) on de-novo pain during sexual intercourse and ejaculation and to compare with open repair. For this reason, two groups were determined according to the surgical technique: the Lichtenstein repair and the TAPP groups and a questionnaire was sent to the patients a minimum of 6 months following the surgery. A total of 317 patients included, as 115 in TAPP and 202 in Lichtenstein repair group. No significant difference was observed concerning pre-operative pain during sexual activity and ejaculation in both groups (p = .75, p = .56). Following the surgery, the number of patients experiencing painful sexual activity was significantly higher in the Lichtenstein repair group compared to the TAPP group (19.3% vs. 11.3%, respectively, p = .03). The post-operative painful ejaculation rate was also significantly lower for the TAPP group (p = .04). The lower rates of post-operative dysejaculation and pain during sexual activity can be achieved with the advantage of laparoscopic surgery.     

The effect of pneumoperitoneum on bacterial clearance and RES functions in a model of E. coli peritonitis

The use of laparoscopic surgery in peritonitis has increased rapidly. The present study examined the effects of pneumoperitoneum on bacterial clearance. Spraque-Dawley rats were divided into six groups of seven animals. In groups 1 and 4, laparotomy with a midline incision was performed and 10(9) E. coli in a volume of 1 ml inserted into the peritoneal cavity. Groups 2, 3, 5, 6 received an identical quantity of E. coli by intraperitoneal injection. Groups 3 and 6 received carbon dioxide pneumoperitoneum at a constant pressure of 5 mmHg for 60 minutes after intraperitoneal injection of E. coli. In one hour groups; the mean bacterial counts per lung from the E. coli injection with laparotomy group was significantly higher than for the E. coli injection with pneumoperitoneum group (p < 0.05). The mean bacterial counts per kidney in the E. coli injection with laparotomy group was higher compared with the E. coli injection and E. coli injection with pneumoperitoneum groups (p < 0.0001). There was statistically significant difference in quantitative bacteraemia between the E. coli injection with laparotomy group and the E. coli injection or E. coli injection with pneumoperitoneum groups (p < 0.05). In four-hour groups; the mean bacterial counts of lungs and liver-spleen were significantly higher in the E. coli injection with laparotomy group than in the E. coli injection and E. coli injection with pneumoperitoneum groups (p < 0.05 and p < 0.001 respectively). The quantitative bacteria was significantly higher in the E. coli injection with laparotomy group than in the E. coli injection and E. coli injection with pneumoperitoneum groups (p < 0.05). This study demonstrates that pneumoperitoneum impairs the clearance of bacteria from the peritoneal cavity in an experimental model of peritonitis. However, we could not detect the deleterious effects of pneumoperitoneum compared with laparotomy.     

MBL,P2X7, and SLC11A1 gene polymorphisms in patients with oropharyngeal tularemia

Conclusion: A significant association was found of oropharyngeal tularemia with SLC11A1 allele polymorphism (INT4?G/C) and MBL2 C?+?4T (P/Q). These results indicate C allele and Q allele might be a risk factor for the development of oropharyngeal tularemia.

Aim: This study aimed to investigate the relationship of SLC11A1, MBL, and P2X₇ gene polymorphism with oropharyngeal tularemia.

Methods: The study included totally 120 patients who were diagnosed with oropharyngeal tularemia. Frequencies of polymorphisms in the following genes were analyzed both in the patient and control groups in the study: SLC11A1 (5’(GT)_n Allele 2/3, Int4?G/C, 3’ UTR, D543N G/A), MBL (MBL2 C?+?4T (P/Q), and P2X₇ (?762 C/T and 1513 A/C).

Results: Among all polymorphisms that were investigated in this study, SLC11A1 gene showed a significance in the distriburtion of polymorphism allelle frequency at the INT4 region. Frequency of C allele was 54 (28%) in patients with oropharyngeal tularemia, and 31 (13%) in the control group (p?=?0.006 and OR = 1.96 (1.21–3.20)). An association was detected between MBL2 C?+?4T (P/Q) gene polymorphism and oropharyngeal tularemia (p?7 (?762 C/T and 1513 A/C) gene polymorphism and oropharyngeal tularemia in this study (p?>?0.05).     

Associations analysis of GSTM1, T1 and P1 Ile105Val polymorphisms with carpal tunnel syndrome

Oxidative stress was related with carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). We aimed to clarify the associations between glutathione S-transferase (GST)M1, GSTT1 and GSTP1-Ile105Val polymorphisms and CTS. One hundred-forty patients with CTS and 97 healthy controls were enrolled in this study. Tinel and Phalen signs were noted as positive or negative. Functional and clinical status of patients was evaluated by the Boston Questionnaire. The intensity of hand and/or wrist pain was evaluated on 10 cm visual analog scale (VAS). We applied the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to determine the polymorphisms of the GSTM1 and GSTT1 and the PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism method for detecting the GSTP1-Ile105Val polymorphism. The M1 null genotype was significantly higher in patients with CTS compared to healthy controls, and the M1 null genotype seemed to increase the risk of CTS approximately two-fold (P?=?0.011; odds ratio (OR)?=?1.98; 95 % confidence interval (CI) 1.17–3.36). The M1 null, T1 present combined genotype was significantly higher in patients with CTS compared to healthy controls (P?=?0.043); however, it seemed not to increase the risk of CTS (P?=?0.14; OR?=?0.62; 95 % CI 0.33–1.76). We found significantly higher levels of the VAS, Boston Symptom Severity Scale and Phalen sign in patients with the Ile/Val or the Val/Val genotypes compared to those in patients with the Ile/Ile genotype (P?=?0.003, 0.004 and 0.044, respectively). We proposed that genes involved in the protection from oxidative stress may influence the susceptibility, clinical and functional status of CTS. The GSTM1 null genotype may be related with the development of CTS, whereas the Val allele of GSTP1-Ile105Val polymorphism may be associated with worse functional and clinical status in CTS.